180.8 km | A Journey of Comebacks, Courage & Commitment

Some races are not just about distance or timing—they are about unfinished dreams, patience, and the courage to show up again.
The 24-Hour Stadium Run was one such race for me.

The Dream Begins (2022)

My dream of qualifying for the World Championship started back in 2022. I registered for my first-ever 24-hour stadium run with high hopes. However, life had other plans.

A road accident disrupted everything. After recovering, I had to restart training from scratch, with barely three months of preparation. Despite pushing to my limits, I could manage 148.8 km at the Mumbai stadium run—short of the 180 km qualifying mark.

Still, that race became my foundation. It introduced me to the physical and mental demands of ultrarunning. It taught me respect for the distance—and patience.

Pause and Priorities (2023)

In 2023, my focus shifted entirely to the Ironman Championship. Because of this commitment, I stayed away from stadium runs that year, knowing well that every season demands clarity of purpose.

Uncertainty & a Brave Decision (2024)

At the start of 2024, I was informed that the 24-Hour Stadium Run was not on NEB’s calendar. With that clarity, I planned two major goals:

• Comrades Marathon
• Border Ultra

Later, by the end of April, unexpected news arrived—the stadium run was back, scheduled for 27th July, barely weeks after Comrades on 9th June.

I was confused and honestly disappointed.

Post-Comrades, I faced stomach stress issues and was on medication and complete rest for 12 days, possibly due to a lack of mileage in training. Physically and mentally, it was risky.

But then came the toughest realization:

If I don’t attempt it now, I may have to wait till 2027 for the next World Championship opportunity.

That thought was heavier than the fear of failure.

On 30th June, the last day of registration, I decided to take the risk—not because I was fully ready, but because I didn’t want to live with regret.

Shoe Dilemma – A Risk Within the Risk

Shoe selection turned out to be one of the biggest challenges even before race day.

For Comrades, I had compromised by running in Brooks Ghost 14, a model I had used for three years (size 7.5) due to my bunion toe structure. Unfortunately, Brooks had discontinued this model, and none of their newer ones suited me.

I tried almost every brand—nothing worked.

Left with no option, I spent two hours at an Adidas showroom and finally bought Adidas Supernova Solution, that too male shoes, size 7 .

Ideally, a 24-hour race demands multiple shoe options, especially in case of rain. But I couldn’t find a backup pair. I took a leap of faith, ran with a single pair, and silently prayed it wouldn’t rain.

Crew Support – The Backbone of the Race

In ultraruns, crew is not support—it’s survival.

In 2022, I had experienced the magic of support from Dev Chaudhary, and in 2024, history repeated itself beautifully. Though Dev was himself running the 100 km race, I wasn’t sure how much he’d be able to help post-race.

But he exceeded expectations and played a crucial role in helping me cross the 180 km mark.

Adding to this incredible support system were:

• Vishal Adhau Sir
• Sunil Sharma Sir Their presence, guidance, and motivation during tough patches were invaluable.

Special thanks also to Vikaas Saroha Sir, who supported tirelessly while crewing for Sufiya Ma’am as well.

Hydration & Nutrition Strategy

I set up my nutrition table with:

• Butter sandwiches
• Bread & jam
• Dates with rock salt
• Boiled, smashed potatoes with salt
• Wafers
• Gels
• EAA
• Water & electrolytes

Everything went smooth till 100 km. After that, gels started causing nausea, but hydration remained consistent.

The real game-changer? Pizza and Dal Khichdi ordered by Dev 
The change in taste lifted my mood and provided much-needed carbs when my body was craving real food.

The Final Hours & The Finish

The last phase of the race was a battle of will. Tired legs. Heavy mind. One loop at a time.

But with constant support, smart hydration, and a calm mindset, I kept moving.

When I finally crossed 180.8 km, it wasn’t just a number—it was a story of resilience, of choosing courage over comfort, and belief over doubt.

Lessons Learned

• Readiness is not perfection—sometimes commitment matters more
• Crew support is priceless
• Adaptability is the greatest strength in ultra-running
• Regret is heavier than failure

Gratitude

Heartfelt thanks to NEB Sports Entertainment Pvt. Ltd., Sunil Shetty Sir, and Sangeeta Shetty Ma’am for organizing such a memorable and well-managed event.

This wasn’t just a 24-hour run.

It was a return to an unfinished dream—and this time, I stayed till the end.